Balanced cables

Stringreen, I, too, own Vandy (Treo's) and am currently using the Atma MP-3 and MX-R amps (non Twenty).
Ralph sold me a set of XLR cables (25foot) to go from the preamp to his MA-1's. They weren't expensive and I find them to be very listenable (no shrillness). 
Perhaps you should give him a call, and get his take on this. His take, if I recall correctly, is that if the equipment is designed properly (like his and Ayre's), then an XLR shouldn't affect sound quality.
Bob

+1 Elizabeth...

+1 Atmasphere!

@2channel,
+1

Bob

At least for me, Atmasphere, and Almarg have given all the information needed regarding balanced interconnects.
I think nrenter summed it up nicely, too.
So, would I buy an expensive XLR cable?
Probably not.
B

@elizabeth,
Though I respect Kimber, I would have a hard time justifying $3K for interconnects. 
Do you notice such a significant difference in sound reproduction?
And, I only say this as a question.
Bob

@elizabeth, again.
Given the posts by Almarg and Atmasphere, do you consider your equipment to be fully balanced?
B

true balanced mainly seem to belong to the marketing gimmicks...

@elizabeth ,
I disagree. From what Ralph/atmasphere has written, it is clear that a true balanced circuit-while not saying it sounds better, provides the means to transfer a signal with far less chance of being affected by noise or being affected by cable design.
I think this is why you are hearing differences between different cables. 

spending twice as much to build the same end result might be OK.

But, you ended up spending a lot of money buying cables.

And I see nothing which would make such designs a requirement for
better sound.

Again, I disagree. Designs like fully balanced, zero feedback and OTL, definitely do make a positive difference.
Though I have no doubt that you have an excellent stereo system, and a sensitive ear, I only wish we could compare our two systems. I think it would be enlightening for both of us.
Bob

You have to tell us what brand the amp is.
B

It might work okay, but I think i would be safer to buy a xlr to RCA transformer. Jensen makes a very nice one.
B